Could Kawhi turn out to be this generation's best, even better than LeBron?

[chiken]

Lebron - Manning.
Kawhi - Brady.

This is all.

[GreenlyGreeny]

If Kawhi brings 2-3 championships to the Clippers, with LeBron never winning in LA, he will eclipse LeBron as the best player since Jordan.

[GreenlyGreeny]

Lebron - Manning.
Kawhi - Brady.

This is all.

Does anybody still even entertain the thought of Manning being better than Brady? That has not been s thing in over two years. That debate is over after the last three years.

[BudweiserCeltic]

No, I think Leonard has gone from underrated to overrated.

[GreenlyGreeny]

Just a reminder, nick: Kawhi has a Finals loss, so he won’t finish 4-0 or 5-0.

I think Lebron will always be the best of his era, but if Kawhi wins another couple of titles while beating Lebron in the process, it may diminish Lebron’s legacy a bit. The perception would be that Kawhi could get it done, while Lebron couldn’t carry his teams to titles even when having at times superior talent.

That is correct. I forgot about that loss early in his career before Kawhi actually became Kawhi. TP nice pickup on that.

I saw a comment saying that LeBron and Kawhi are from different generations. I can't see that as the two players may end up playing against each other for 10-13 years before it is all said and done.

But, I think I am falling into the category that if Kawhi does go on a run of excellent ball, puts up the numbers and does end up as 4-1 or 5-1 in the Finals, that LeBron should still be considered the best player of the generation but, as I said in the OP, maybe Kawhi will be considered the generation's best winner and that would tarnish LeBron's legacy some. Maybe that would keep Lebron out of the conversation as best player ever with Russell, MJ, Bird and Magic.

I think it's tricky.  Would you say Kobe and Lebron were the same generation?  Based on your criteria, yes.  But I wouldn't put Kobe and Kawhi in the same generation.  Shouldn't there be transitivity?  Small point I guess.

Larger point, I think Lebron at his best was the better player.  Leonard cannot match the play-making ability.  Kawhi has a lot more time left, so it will be fun to see what he does with it.

Here’s the thing: Kawhi almost always closes and LeBron almost always chokes, even at his absolute best. I take a 28 year old Kawhi over a 28 year old LeBron.

[KG Living Legend]

 Yes. Absolutely. LeBron being exposed by a real two wat Stud.

 LeBron's biggest advantage is his robotic Terminator body.

 Kawhi is more lethal IMO.

 Thanks for bringing this topic up.

[mr. dee]

I don't understand. Kawhi is not as good as peak Lebron was. Probably never will be. Why is this a question?

Also, in terms of NBA generations I consider Lebron and Kawhi to be different generations.

I agree with your 1st statement and kind-of agree with the 2nd. The question is purely hypothetical, though. As it stands now, Kawhi isn't even remotely in Lebron's ballpark. Lebron as been dominant for over a decade and a half. If not for GSW (one of the greatest teams ever assembled), we would be signing a different tune in terms of his championships.

Kawhi lucked into a Finals MVP in SAS and was one ridiculous bounce away from losing in the ECSF (never mind having the Ws drop like flies in the Finals).

I like Kawhi, and I HATE Lebron, but it really isn't even close at this point. I suppose if he all out dominates over the next 5 years, winning 2-3 MVP and 4 more titles, then sure, we can have a discussion...but I think that discussion could be made with anybody who achieves those accolades.

We can play this what if scenario all day. If Ray Allen didn't hit that clutch 3 pointer in game 6, Lebron will have less titles. Lebron never won any DPOY award either, let alone 2 which is an impressive feat for someone who is not a big.

2016 Cavs run was also a string of luck. Iggy and Bogut hurt, Draymond suspended which hurt the warriors defense badly when they could have easily close the series in 5 games. If we think about it, most of Lebron's playoff runs were because of string of luck. Celtics Big 3 playing hurt, Bulls getting hurt and IT Celtics getting hurt too. 2011 Bulls, 2013 Pacers and 2015 Hawks are his only legitimate wins.

[GreenEnvy]

I think if Leonard wins a 3rd Finals MVP with his third franchise, that’s more impressive than LeBron’s gaudy individual stats.

[CptZoogs]

Lebron - Manning.
Kawhi - Brady.

This is all.

Does anybody still even entertain the thought of Manning being better than Brady? That has not been s thing in over two years. That debate is over after the last three years.

Bernard Pollard is an answer to your question.  Just saw an article the other day where he was running his mouth about it.

[Who]

No, I think Leonard has gone from underrated to overrated.

Same here.

[Moranis]

I don't think so.  The handful of players that are always in the discussion for greatest ever not only have multiple titles and MVP's but also have gaudy stats (even Bill).  That is what puts them in the discussion for greatest ever.  You have to have both.  Now if over the next 6 years, Kawhi picks up a couple of titles, a MVP or two, and not only continues to score but also starts adding more rebounds and assists to his game, then maybe he starts getting in that discussion.  But he would need to do a lot. 

And while I do think the Clippers are the favorites, it isn't like the Lebron or Durant also couldn't pick up a title or two as their teams are at least theoretically very good teams.

how are the Lakers a good team outside of Lebron and AD?

Yeah aside from 2 of the best players in the world they aren't any good.  That is amusing.  Aside from that they have some very nice surround players like Green, Kuzma, etc.  The Lakers are a solid team.  And you get them to the playoffs it would be hard to bet against any team with Lebron James and Anthony Davis on it

[KGs Knee]

Kawhi is certainly the better player currently, there's no debating that.

But Kawhi would have to really churn out some big stats these next few years while he's still in his prime, win a title or two more (preferably beating the Lakers in the playoffs in the process), and not have to miss a bunch of games each year.  LeBron has such a big lead on Kawhi in terms of career accomplishments it will be a monstrous task to pass him.

Kawhi could make it a more interesting debate, I suppose, that seems possible.  Passing him seems rather unlikely.

[Briantir]

The West is a blood bath again.

[td450]

Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Kawhi and Durant both healthy in the finals. I'm not so certain he would have won the matchup, much less the championship.

I'm also expecting that next year's edition of Giannis will separate himself from the rest of the league.

That being said, the idea of Beverly, George and Leonard playing defense together is going to be something special. I'm not sure we've ever seen anything like it.

[wiley]

It would have helped if Kahwhi hadn't got hurt a few years back against the Warriors.  The Spurs were drubbing those pre-Durant Warriors in Oakland...not hard for me to imagine the Spurs winning the title if Kawhi had stayed healthy.

Another title was stolen in the last second from Kawhi by Ray Allen and a possible Pop mistake (no big for the two rebounds that found way to Ray).

So, If Kawhi had just won his fourth title, I think we'd start comparing him to Jordan more, and less to Lebron, for his will to win. 

But just as comparing Lebron and Jordan is not easy (I take Jordan as best ever), people will struggle with comparing Lebron and Kawhi.

So:
1. Kawhi reminds more of Jordan. 
2. Kawhi has more work to do and must stay healthy to make it a real debate career wise...